The heavy door had been securely closed.

The French-windows which led out on to the balcony had been almost barricaded.

The four men who were seated around the oval table had certainly secured for themselves what seemed to be a complete and absolute isolation.

Yet there was, nevertheless, a sense of uneasiness, an indescribable air of tension in the atmosphere.

The quartette had somehow the appearance of conspirators who had not settled down to their work.